Fauré’s Requiem which you will hear Good Friday at 7:30 in the Sanctuary is a lot like a great wine that has layer after layer of different flavors, some poetic and feminine, some darker and richer, infinite nuance and intrigue; and yet, at the same time, everything is perfectly balanced, harmonious, not one element overpowering the others. It is amazing that a wine with so much floral perfume never becomes cloying. This brilliance of balance – depth of content with refinement and grace – is the unique gift of French art. And Gabriel Fauré was a definitive exponent of this art.
This amazing Requiem depicts the timelessness of human existence, the procession of generations, human longings, profound sorrow, fear of the unknown, as well as light, hope, the ultimate joys of heaven, and, above all, peace. All of these separate emotions are distinctly expressed, but they also form a perfect harmonious unity which lasts only 30 minutes. There is not a note out of place in this work. And, because its structure and style are so “simple,” the handling of all these emotions takes great concentration and care on the part of the performers.
Speaking of the performers: FPC’s Heather Kessler will sing the lovely Pie Jesu from the Requiem and a local baritone in the area will sing the baritone solos. Robert Wisniewski who just recently retired from St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Columbus will be our organist and the wonderful harp music of Oliva Haggett will be heard during the glittering Sanctus. We will also have amazing readers sharing the Passion story inbetween the sections of the Requiem and a beautiful and spacious arrangement of O Sacred Head Now Wounded played by the Festivo Bell Choir. The Chancel Choir has been working hard over the past few months putting it all together and we are incredibly excited to share this timeless work with you on this sacred day.
